[Archived] Blackburn Rovers Transfer Topic

[Kelbo]

I've given my view half way down the page here.

http://www.brfcs.co.uk/mb/index.php?showto...;p=789694

Point is that some people actually try to make out that he is a top player in their frothy eagerness to defend him. He plainly isn't and if we want to improve then we need a better player than KA in the squad. As it is our financial limitations mean that we have other areas to spend money on first. How difficult is that to comprehend?

Absolutely, that is correct!!

[Roversider]

I won't be around today. If anything comes up I'll do an 11 o'clocker. Not the best few hours coming up.

Thanks Nicko, sad day. If you get the chance tell the big man our thoughts are with him and his family.

[LeftWinger]

What you are saying is that Alex Ferguson can't spot a footballer then?

So Ferguson would sign him now would he?

[Blue n White Rover]

So Ferguson would sign him now would he?

Form is temporary, class is permanent

[saviola]

Unleaded, do you have any news regarding on the striker front

[Fife Rover]

Yep, I saw him play for Austria at the FIFA u-20 world cup. He was a star for their team, who went much deeper into the tournament than expected. He looked good at that level...only 22 yrs old now, potential resale value...but (just like Janko) this could be too BIG a step up from the Austrian league.

How many people have now raised the question of a players ability to make the transition from the Austrian league to the EPL?

I cannot recall a single instance of anyone raising the same objection to a player making the transition from the Australian league. Is that not also a huge leap in the dark? Then of course the same applies also to the various African leagues, Eastern European, Greek, and Turkish leagues.......the list goes on and on. What is SO different about the Austrian league?

A large number of players in the EPL at present have come from one of these leagues I have listed and have been very successful, so I repeat......what exactly is so different about the Austrian league that makes so many people on this site feel that a player coming from there simply cannot be expected to step up to the EPL. I would really like someone to explain why (if they can).

[thenodrog]

How many people have now raised the question of a players ability to make the transition from the Austrian league to the EPL?

I cannot recall a single instance of anyone raising the same objection to a player making the transition from the Australian league. Is that not also a huge leap in the dark? Then of course the same applies also to the various African leagues, Eastern European, Greek, and Turkish leagues.......the list goes on and on. What is SO different about the Austrian league?

A large number of players in the EPL at present have come from one of these leagues I have listed and have been very successful, so I repeat......what exactly is so different about the Austrian league that makes so many people on this site feel that a player coming from there simply cannot be expected to step up to the EPL. I would really like someone to explain why (if they can).

Good point but you may be waiting some considerable time for an answer Fife.

Krankl could have come to Ewood anytime he wanted when he was in his pomp thats for sure.

[jim mk2]

. Krankl could have come to Ewood anytime he wanted when he was in his pomp thats for sure.

Forgot about him. Fantastic player. Would be worth £50m plus in today's ludicrous market.

[philipl]

Hasn't Martins lost his pace though? Last time I watched him he was as slow as Diouf but nowhere near as effective.

Smith has lost everything he ever had except for red card two footed "tackles" and a nasty nature.

Honestly, I wonder what some people are doing when football is on the TV!

[greggyk]

Hasn't Martins lost his pace though? Last time I watched him he was as slow as Diouf but nowhere near as effective.

Well he is about 32 now.....

[Taggart]

I won't be around today. If anything comes up I'll do an 11 o'clocker. Not the best few hours coming up.

Thanks Nicko !

[Majiball]

How many people have now raised the question of a players ability to make the transition from the Austrian league to the EPL?

I cannot recall a single instance of anyone raising the same objection to a player making the transition from the Australian league. Is that not also a huge leap in the dark? Then of course the same applies also to the various African leagues, Eastern European, Greek, and Turkish leagues.......the list goes on and on. What is SO different about the Austrian league?

A large number of players in the EPL at present have come from one of these leagues I have listed and have been very successful, so I repeat......what exactly is so different about the Austrian league that makes so many people on this site feel that a player coming from there simply cannot be expected to step up to the EPL. I would really like someone to explain why (if they can).

Isn't it just more the case that he's 26 and been playing that level for quite some time and only had one good season. If its taken him that long to score lots of goals at the level of the Austrian league, then what are his chances of scoring lots of goals in one of the best and hardest leagues in the world? Its taken him 7-8 years to hit these heights. Its not as if he's a fallen angel like RSC and McCarthy where.

He's going to be our main striker in a formation that depends on him a lot. So expecting someone with one good season at a level considered vastly inferior, (40+ goals and no golden boot??? speaks wonders to what UEFA think of the level of the league) to come in and straight away score goals in the premiership is hopeful to say the least. The Dutch league is stronger than the Austrian and comparisons where drawn there I believe Alves and Kezman where used but there different players, but both struggled.

You'll also note we were linked to a young Austrian keeper a few weeks ago and no-one said a thing, so perhaps its not the league per-say.

We can take a punt or we can play safe, given our track record when we take a punt I'm inclined to play it safe. Because last time we did we got Cole and then Bellamy and both slotted straight in, he's just too big a risk.

If he was 21-22 maybe even 23 he'd be worth watching this year again (but he's got to score lots again), but to gamble half our cash or more on him is a gamble too far even for me.

[Dunnfc]

Mohammed Kallon - once of Inter Milan & Monaco is on a free surely worth a trial?

[LeftWinger]

If he was 21-22 maybe even 23 he'd be worth watching this year again (but he's got to score lots again), but to gamble half our cash or more on him is a gamble too far even for me.

If he scores lots this year other clubs will take him. Unfortunately we need to take gambles early on before the odds are shorter so to speak and everyone is prepared to take a gamble.

[Torgeir]

Mohammed Kallon - once of Inter Milan & Monaco is on a free surely worth a trial?

Good player, not that old. Bring him to Italy, Sam.

[Fife Rover]

Isn't it just more the case that he's 26 and been playing that level for quite some time and only had one good season. If its taken him that long to score lots of goals at the level of the Austrian league, then what are his chances of scoring lots of goals in one of the best and hardest leagues in the world? Its taken him 7-8 years to hit these heights. Its not as if he's a fallen angel like RSC and McCarthy where.

He's going to be our main striker in a formation that depends on him a lot. So expecting someone with one good season at a level considered vastly inferior, (40+ goals and no golden boot??? speaks wonders to what UEFA think of the level of the league) to come in and straight away score goals in the premiership is hopeful to say the least. The Dutch league is stronger than the Austrian and comparisons where drawn there I believe Alves and Kezman where used but there different players, but both struggled.

You'll also note we were linked to a young Austrian keeper a few weeks ago and no-one said a thing, so perhaps its not the league per-say.

We can take a punt or we can play safe, given our track record when we take a punt I'm inclined to play it safe. Because last time we did we got Cole and then Bellamy and both slotted straight in, he's just too big a risk.

If he was 21-22 maybe even 23 he'd be worth watching this year again (but he's got to score lots again), but to gamble half our cash or more on him is a gamble too far even for me.

I certainly wouldn't argue with the drift of your post MJB, although it does completely miss the point I was making.

My question was inspired by another poster who had queried the ability of Hoffer to make it in the EPL because he came from the Austrian league, and with this added to the myriads of other posters that have questioned Janko's ability to step up, but only quoting the difference in standards between the Austrian league and the EPL. My point was and is: what is SO fundamentally different about the Austrian league and lots of other leagues around the world that it alone has to be singled out for questioning the ability of it's players to make a successful transition to the EPL? Nobody says" oh dear he has only come from the Australian league (or the MSL, or some African league etc, etc) so will he be able to step up" do they?

[novella]

Im a little bit worried that this City bid for Lescott will end up in Everton wanting Samba. Didnt Nicko mention before that Everton might be keen on him if they sell Lescott?

[Nelson!]

Bruce says talks with Crouch went well, we made him the best offer we could and he'll decide in the next 24-48 hours.....but that geography might be the big issue.

I was wondering if you guys have to contend with this issue when looking to sign players too? or is it just us flat cap-wearing, whippet racing folk in the north east?

To an extent I can understand someone who is coming from abroad preferring to live in London/Birmingham/Manchester as they're big cities that they're certain to have heard of......but when British lads seem concerned about moving a few hundred miles up the road I think it says an awful lot about the desire of the player. Seemingly Bent would rather stay in London and sit on the bench than come up north and play football. Crouch is probably awaiting interest from Spurs/Fulham.

London is three hours away ffs, and we stopped eating our own bairns up here decades ago.

Also....Bruce has made a few comments about Jones being a big part of his plans AS WELL as those strikers coming in. You will be as delighted to hear that as I am!

[Torgeir]

Also....Bruce has made a few comments about Jones being a big part of his plans AS WELL as those strikers coming in. You will be as delighted to hear that as I am!

That's just to keep his price up

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Also....Bruce has made a few comments about Jones being a big part of his plans AS WELL as those strikers coming in. You will be as delighted to hear that as I am!

Hmm. If you get Crouch plus Bent or another, will Jones be happy to sit on the bench all season?

[den]

Bruce says talks with Crouch went well, we made him the best offer we could and he'll decide in the next 24-48 hours.....but that geography might be the big issue.

I was wondering if you guys have to contend with this issue when looking to sign players too? or is it just us flat cap-wearing, whippet racing folk in the north east?

To an extent I can understand someone who is coming from abroad preferring to live in London/Birmingham/Manchester as they're big cities that they're certain to have heard of......but when British lads seem concerned about moving a few hundred miles up the road I think it says an awful lot about the desire of the player. Seemingly Bent would rather stay in London and sit on the bench than come up north and play football. Crouch is probably awaiting interest from Spurs/Fulham.

London is three hours away ffs, and we stopped eating our own bairns up here decades ago.

Also....Bruce has made a few comments about Jones being a big part of his plans AS WELL as those strikers coming in. You will be as delighted to hear that as I am!

If Geography is the issue, then you're better off without him. That should tell you that he's far more interested in his lifestyle, than he is in being a footballer. Leave him alone if that's the score.

[Nelson!]

Hmm. If you get Crouch plus Bent or another, will Jones be happy to sit on the bench all season?

To be honest it sounds as though we've given up on Bent.....I'm pretty glad about it too.

The feeling is we're looking at Crouch (if we get him) and Jones with Campbell and an other who will play largely from the bench. While they're both big Jones and Crouch are completely different players and could (in theory) compliment eachother very well. Bruce has been saying he wants to keep Jones regardless who else comes in and that the players are intelligent enough ( ) to relaise we need a lot of options.

I'd have been shocked if Bruce had decided to let Jones go.....he's 'his type' of player and we've absolutely no reaosn to sell.

If Geography is the issue, then you're better off without him. That should tell you that he's far more interested in his lifestyle, than he is in being a footballer. Leave him alone if that's the score.

I'm inclined to agree......although I'd suggest it's the missus who is concerned about where he plays.

Keane was spot on in his evaluation of modern footballers, even though a lot of them won't have liked hearing it.

I'm relaxed about it, I only want him here if he wants to come.....anything else is a recipe for disaster. So give him 24-48 hours to mull it over but don't allow him to keep us hanging in case another offer comes is somewhere more suitable.

[den]

Keane was spot on in his evaluation of modern footballers, even though a lot of them won't have liked hearing it.

I'm relaxed about it, I only want him here if he wants to come.....anything else is a recipe for disaster. So give him 24-48 hours to mull it over but don't allow him to keep us hanging in case another offer comes is somewhere more suitable.

Correct.

[Nelson!]

Correct.

I have this mental image of 'Arry running around the house trying to scrape enough of a wad together to put a bid in.....he'll be looking for brown envelopes that might have fallen down the back of the couch.

I doubt Fulham could afford to match his wages so unless saggy chops manages to offload some players quickly I think Crouch might end up with us.

[Amo]

To be honest it sounds as though we've given up on Bent.....I'm pretty glad about it too.

Mid-20s, natural goalscorer, good turn of pace. You'd be missing out.

The only problem is Spurs inflated valuation, considering he's done relatively naff all there. I'd have him here in a shot if we could afford him.